St Petersburg Metro transporting everyday over 2 million passengers is one of the busiest metro systems in Europe. It has 67 stations, 7 lines. The oldest stations build in the 1940-50s have rich decorations and distinct architecture styles, while architecture of the new stations is simplistic. V. A. Garyugin, director of state company “St. Petersburg Metropoliten” in his presentation of the metro writes: ”The Metro connects the historic city centre to the once-forgotten city outskirts. The blue Metro trains have become a symbol of new adult life for many people. Three generations of St. Petersburg residents have arranged meetings at Metro stations marked with a blue letter “M”.” [2]

Helsinki Metro was opened in 1982, it connects central districts with eastern suburbs. A new line called West metro will open in 2016.

Rules and limitations

Saint Petersburg metro has a very long list of usage rules. For instance, article 9.17. says that it is prohibited to shoot films or videos as well as use flash photography unless specifically authorized by the authorities.

St. Petersburg Metro Passenger Behavior Guidelines

9. It is strictly forbidden for anybody on the territory of the Metro to:

9.23. Use the train driver communication link for no purpose.

9.24. Use rollerblades, roller skates, skateboards, skis or any other such equipment anywhere on the territory of the Metro.

9.25. Ride motorcycles, bicycles, scooters or any other similar vehicles.

9.26. Listen to music through speakers, use sound amplifiers or play music instruments.

St. Petersburg city police has a division working specifically for the metro system.

Helsinki Metro is covered by general HKL (Helsinki City Transport )regulations. Instructions for metro passengers are concise and presented on HKL website as a list of questions and answers.

HKL regulations specify that ” More demanding filming processes (such as movies, TV series, advertisements and different kinds of videos) on trams, metro trains, metro stations or ferries must always be agreed in advance with HKL Helsinki City Transport, because in most cases HKL’s facilities and staff resources are needed.” HKL also issues performance licenses for Kamppi, Rautatientori, Kaisaniemi, Hakaniemi, Sörnäinen, Herttoniemi, Itäkeskus and Vuosaari metro stations. Performance licenses may be granted for one hour or two hours at a time.[3] Also ” HKL can also participate in the event production as a partner and this way allow the premises to be used as a venue. In general, HKL does not permit the use of any premises managed by it for purposes of marketing or promoting any private company, commercial product or ideological/religious or political view”. [4]

Connecting high contrast city districts

Example 1. St. Petersburg metro line 1 (red) connects heavily industrialized Kirovsky District on the south-west (metro stations Narvskaya, Kirovski zavod) with city center and Kalininskiy District on the north where many universities and research institutes are located (stations Grazhdanski prospect, Akademicehskaya).[5]

Example 2. In Helsinki metro line connects a western and central part of the city (Ruoholahti) with eastern districts of Helsinki (Vuosari, Myllypuro, Kontula, Mellunmäki)